The Panthers have six unrestricted free agents and four unrestricted free agents to decide on. They also need to shed some payroll to make room for a few prospects that seem ready for the next level: forwards Quinton Howden and Jonathan Huberdeau and defensemen Colby Robak and possibly Alex Petrovic, although at least one season in the AHL for the 20-year-old Petrovic would probably be prudent.
Today we’re looking at Mikael Samuelsson, a UFA who came over along with Marco Sturm in the shocking David Booth trade just two weeks into the season. Once the veteran forward got over his offseason hernia-abdomen surgery he became more valuable by the game. After injuries slowed down the torrid scoring pass of the Panthers top line of Stephen Weiss, Kris Versteeg and Tomas Fleischmann, it was Samuelsson’s line of Sean Bergenheim and Marcel Goc that was the most consistent trio on the team over the season’s last month and then into the playoffs, although the top line did bounce back.
Sammy finished the season with 28 points in 48 games with the Panthers, including a plus-14 on-ice rating. It seemed when he was on the ice, good things happened.
“I was surprised to come here,’’ Samuelsson said of the trade. “I didn’t feel very good at all when I got here, but all credit to the training staff. They gave me the time I needed so when I came back I felt good. It was fun to be part of this team. We have something good going and hopefully we can continue that.
“I did [tell Dale and Kevin I wanted to be part of the team] but if that happens who knows? Let’s see. What’s going down the road I’m not going to say either or what the future has to be bring. This past year I’m more comfortable to talk about that one.
“I’m not looking for any major stuff like that [three-year deal?]. I just want to be part of a good team who could do some damage and that’s my main goal. I still think it’s so much fun to play hockey so I want to continue. How the contract’s going to shape out I have no comment on that.
“Absolutely [this team can do damage]. We still have some things to work on. The group that Dale put together there’s a lot of good players in here. If we can get together and play another year together I definitely think we do better than we were this year.
“If you look at the names on the roster here I’m not really surprised [we made the playoffs]. Maybe it sounds cocky or whatever, so be it. We need to have maybe even higher expectations. We were obviously happy we made the playoffs but now that we’ve done that hopefully we can look forward to doing a little more stuff, bigger things. It’s not going to come easy but I don’t see any reason if this core group is still here why we couldn’t make the playoffs next year, too.
“Aim higher than that. We did this year, too. It doesn’t come easy. We still have things to work on.’’
Also, when coach Kevin Dineen aptly placed Samuelsson the point of the power play along with Brian Campbell, he constantly delivered pinpoint passes to bolster the power play, especially against the Devils in the playoffs. He had five assists in seven games and his Stanley Cup/playoff experience (99 games/58 points) was obvious as he displayed poise and patience under pressure. He may be 35 but he is a physical specimen and both Dineen and GM Dale Tallon had nothing but stellar praise for him on exit day.
“He will play a number of years because of that intelligence, the way he can manage a game within his skill set,’’ Dineen said.
Tallon praised Samuelsson for his mentorship role and felt it could be ideal for next season when a couple of youngsters are added to the roster. Samuelsson made $2.5 million this year.
What do you say, thumbs up or down on Samuelsson for another 1-2 years?

Comments (20 Comments)

When he was on the ice, he was noticeable, he is hockey smart and has the ability to slow and settle the play when is needed, certainly a veteran with a great vision on the ice. I definitely want him back, specially because of the line he played with Bergenheim and Marcel Goc, they were awesome together.

He is a keeper if it works into the plans compared to other players.
He is not critical or very important however he is a role player, and therefore worthy of any NHL team.
My biggest concern on this veteran player is his soundness for another full season.
One year contract is all I would offer him, if he fits in to the equation.

Sammy’s a decent player who still has gas left in the tank. I hope Tallon resigns him, but only a short-term deal for not a lot of money. Sammy’s at a point in his career where he wants to win a Cup. He already has his millions (although he’d probably enjoy a few more), so I don’t think negotiations will be all about the money. I think ownership, management, and the players all feel that expectations will be higheer next season. That’s for us as fans! Thumbs up!

Bryzgalov? He was so unimpressive you have to believe that Philly is praying for the new CBA to include an escape clause that will allow them to get out of the idiotic long term deal they signed with Bryzgalov. Glad to see the Devils knock off the Panthers, who turned out to be a much tougher opponent for the Devils than the Flyers were.

whew – some bad typing there – obviously I meant to say I’m glad to see the Devils knock off the Flyers….and that the Panthers turned out to be a much tougher opponent for the Devils than the Flyers were. (That’s what happens when you post before finishing your first cup of coffee in the morning!)

Indeed, WAM, the Panthers were a MUCH tougher opponent for NJ than Philly was. Maybe while you’re enjoying your coffee this morning, those brilliant flyers fans who’ve trashed both Florida and NJ all season long can eat a huge helping of crow. I love it.

De Boer coached team that was successful..First season..
Now Yormark and Viner will be calling and kissing Arse like the phonies they are..
De Boer got run out of here on a bad rap, and he proves that the moron management here are just that..
He very well could have been successful under Tallon, so dont start that spin..
Great for him, and I still do not like the Devils.
Just calling it the way it is..

YO, I might put it another way– De Boer is a solid coach who learned and grew from his experience in Florida; and all things being equal, he probably could be successful with the current Panthers roster and under the current Panthers GM’s system and mindset. But things weren’t equal, so he needed to move on and continue what will likley be a successful career elsewhere. For example, he had locker room baggage here that, even with an overhauled roster, would have lingered and potentially been an obstacle. He also wasn’t Tallon’s guy, and Tallon is the dog that wags this tail. De Boer needed to hit the re-set button, and so did the Panthers. Both did, and both are benefitting.

I couldn’t agree more, S FL. DeBoer wasn’t a bad coach here in Florida. He was simply inexperienced at the NHL/pro level. He learned a lot from his time here (and has said so in subsequent interviews) plus he benefits now from working for one of the best executives in hockey, Lou Lamoriello, plus working with one of the NHL’s absolute best assistant coaches, Larry Robinson (also one of the very best defensemen in NHL history). Never forget that the Devils are Lou’s team. And in Pete’s defense, he walked into a hornet’s nest here, working under a terrible GM in Jacques Martin and a mediocre one in Sexton. He has no such worries in New Jersey, just as Dineen has no such worries with Tallon at the helm of the Panthers hockey operations.

I would really like to see Sammy back here. He is a consumate pro and a 3rd line leader. He’s a mentor-type and has played for enough teams to appreciate what the Cats are doing. Next year I see him on a line with Danger and Skille/Bergy and making things happen.

The Sammi we saw after coming back from the lingering injury was the Sammi that played a key role for Detroit. He has great hockey sense, is a calming influence and gives us a solid #2 line. The Goc, Sammi & Bergy line was the most consistent line we had in the last couple of months & playoffs. Signing him to a one or two year deal would be great. He’s one of those guys DT should think hard about keeping.

As far as DeBoers, he was a decent coach here but ask the players that are still here who they would prefer playing for & I bet hands down it’s KD. Deboring is the perfect fit for NJ’s trap & it was very evident last night in that 3rd period. They really shut the Flyers down and not having Gerioux hurt the Flyers in so many ways. He has all summer long to think about his selfish and dumb penalty which probably cost them a chance at coming back to win their series. I was thrilled to see the Flyers lose. Can’t help wondering what could have been if we had closed the Devils out? What do you think of a Cats vs Flyers series?
Do you guys think that maybe the Flyers took the Devils too lightly? Seems like when a team does that it doesn’t end well. (think Van & St’ Louis vs. the Kings)

Hope the Rangers close out the Caps tonight setting up a subway series……..Best scenario for the NHL is Rangers vs. Kings……Big TV ratings….
Would love to see the Kings win the cup this year. They remind me of the Cats team from 96. No Superstars but a lot of no name diggers with an amazing goalie.
42 years in the league, it’s about time they win one………..They’re certainly playing like the team to beat…….

No superstars? Well maybe because no one is paying attention to them. Kopitar is one of the best centers in hockey, Quick is one of the best goalies (toss-up with Lundqvist for that honor this year), they have Richards, former captain of the Flyers, and Dustin Brown, one of the best two-way forwards in the game. They have a very strong roster. Their problems this season were puzzling.

Yes on your Sammi thoughts. (one season) If he fits the model
No on Deboer, …you are selling him way too short..The players who played for him and that you ask us to speak with will not confirm your ideas even if they were accurate.
Styles do beat other styles in most sports, so yes I agree we gave the Devils a good run, however their stye beat the Flyers and De Boer earns all of the credit for adjusting much more than the trap..
I would also like to see a series between NY and NJ..
Therefore I also agree a Ranger vs Kings series is a winner..

WAM, I guess I should have not been so broad with the “no namers”….Sure, Quick, Kopitar, Brown, Richards are great players they’re just not the headline getters like Ovi or Crosby. That’s all I meant. No disrespect to them at all. The Kings are peaking just like we did in 96 and if ever there was a year to win it, this is their year.

YO I personally didnt like DeBoers and I think in the end the players stopped working for him, a definite sign he “lost” his team. You didn’t see any quit in the Cats under KD all year………

Advertisement

About the author

HARVEY FIALKOV, a tennis-playing sportswriter who grew up in Long Island following the dynastic Islanders, is the new Panthers beat writer for the Sun Sentinel and looking forward to writing about the best professional sports team in Broward County.